Cross-reference to related applications

Abstract

A package 10 has a sliding blister card 12 and a locking sleeve 14 made from a base 16 and a top 18. The card is made from conventional blister dose packaging material, with blisters 30 formed in a single layer plastic top holding medicaments on a sealing paper, board, or foil layer. The top and base form a closed case, open along one end 26. Blister cards with receiving aperture(s) 34 are slid between guides and cylinders, and pushed inward until detent(s) 29 engage aperture(s) 34. Appurtenant(s) 48 adjacent to the detent(s) urge the blister card to engage the detent(s) at the card's receiving aperture. Pressing on release 20 disengages the card and detent by warping the card to move the aperture away from the detent so that the card may be slid through the open end of the sleeve. Reverse pressure easily slides the blister card back into the containment element without manipulation of parts.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 504,977, filed on Sep. 23, 2003, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to child-resistant locking containers. More specifically the present invention relates to a child-resistant case for receiving, holding, and securing a blister card with medicaments, which is configured to releasably engage the blister card by way of appurtenants positioned within the case. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Locking containers, especially child-resistant or locking containers wherein multiple movements must be applied to open the container, have many uses. One use for locking containers is to control the dispensing of medicine or medicaments in the form of pills and tablets. Locking caps on medicine bottles are well known. The typical locking cap mechanism requires a coordinated alignmen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The illustrated embodiments of the present invention are directed to a child-resistant safety container for medications stored in a blister card. Generally speaking, a two-piece molded plastic container closed on three sides forms a void that receives a blister card that slidably translates through the open forth side. Appurtenants extend into the void as a means for engaging the blister card to an adjacent catch. Means for engaging include ribs and springs, attached to or formed with the molded plastic pieces as is well known to those skilled in the art, to exert a force on the card. The illustrated embodiments show two flexible springs molded on one side of the container that push the blister card against the opposite side where a catch is located and positioned to engage at least one aperture that is part of the blister card. A retainer prevents the blister card from being fully removed; however, manipulating the retainer with a thin device such as replacement blister card releases the first used blister card, which can then be slid out of the container. Posts molded on one piece are mated to and welded to the corresponding hollow cylinders molded on the other piece. Energy directors may weld side edges. This invention allows blister cards to be loaded into the case during manufacture, at the point of purchase or by a health care professional, or by the user at later times. It also reduces the cost of assembly, and provides a child-resistant, re-useable medicine dispensing case. Additional embodiments fulfill the needs for single dose dispensing packaging.

[0007] In a single dose dispensing package, a child-resistant case for dispensing medications held on a blister card has a two-piece molded plastic sleeve closed on three edges. A blister card is slidable through the open fourth edge to expose a row of blister upon a manipulation of the parts. An appurtenant, should here in the form of a dagger spring near the open edge, fits through an opening in the blister card and acts as a travel limit when the card is slid out. Additional appurtenants, such as flexible springs and rigid ribs, may be molded with or attached to a first piece and configured to force the blister card against the inside surface of whichever piece includes a molded catch or detent. The detent, shown here for purposes of teaching and not limitation on the side opposite the springs near the closed end, engages an opening in the blister card to prevent a fully inserted blister card from sliding outward. Pressing on an adjacent release distorts the blister card so that the molded catch no longer engages the opening in the blister card, which can then be removably slid outward from the container to expose the blisters. A ramp on the back of the catch depresses the blister pack as it is slid inward. Posts molded on one piece are inserted into and welded to the hollow cylinders molded on the other piece. Energy directors may sonically weld side edges, as well as the posts and cylinders.

[0008] A storing and dispensing system has a sliding blister card and a locking sleeve comprising a base and matingly connected top. The top is mated to the base by integral pins on one piece being inserted into integral cylinders on another piece and then welding the plastic sleeve shut. The card is made from conventional blister dose pack material—a single layer plastic top with formed alveoli holding pills or tablets on a sealed paper or foil base. The paper or foil is pushed in, cut, or punched beneath each blister to release the respective dose. A blister card manufactured in the convention manner, configured with at least one receiving aperture and the blisters arranged to cooperate with the internal appurtenants, provides the minimum structural rigidity for functioning of the parts.

[0009] In practice, the blister card is placed in the sleeve opening and pushed inward past the limit spring and perhaps on sliding guides between guiding cylinders and ribs. Internal appurtenant such as springs or ribs urge the blister card toward a detent The detent or catch engages the blister card's receiving aperture to lock the card in the sleeve. To unlock the card there is provided a release. In the illustrated embodiments, manipulating the release requires pressing inward to warp a part of the card away from the catch. The warping of the card moves the receiving aperture away from the detent so that the card may be slid outward through the open end of the sleeve. Extending the card to expose the blisters is then a matter of sliding the card outwardly in increments, or fully until a receiving aperture engages a retainer. Reverse pressure easily slides the blister card back into the case.

[0010] Embodiments according to this invention offer at least the following advantages: lightness in weight, resistance to tampering, child-resistance, ease of access, excellent durability, ease of assembly, repeated use, and excellent economy. It is also contemplated that the present invention is not limited to pharmaceutical-related goods, but is applicable to a plethora of delicate, sensitive, or unique portable goods. Other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

Problems solved by technology

Many medicines are packaged in convenient flat boxes, which are difficult to secure with childproof locks.

The dangers posed by children with access to a quantity of tablets not intended for their consumption is self evident.

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